I am interested in what scientists think about street art (or art in general) and communication, as much as what the general public knows about biodiversity.

I think art, and especially street art, could be a great way to communicate a range of science issues, including the importance and threats to biodiversity, to non-scientists. As a fan of street art I think it can be an effective way of getting messages to a very wide audience. Being immediate, accessible and free it can reach people everyday, including those that wouldn't necessarily buy art books or visit galleries. The only danger is that it may associate concern for biodiversity with something considered fringe or illegal but I don't see that as a big issue.

The street art, is a potencial tool to promote science topics. Is an easy way to show to everyone the local biodiversity. All the things ( direct or indirect) are conected with biodiversity so, I think art could be an instrument to provide all audiences awareness about nature, science and other issues.

thank you for the discussions. Can I trouble you both to go take the short survey at the link above if you hadn't done it? Greatly appreciated. I am finding from survey results that if you are trying to get a very direct idea out to the public, the artwork can not be as conceptual as mine was. They are not understanding the entire meaning. It is very interesting so far. thank you.

Already filled in. And yes the biodiversity message wasn't clear. people only see street art as they're passing, often, so I think a simpler message might be more effective.

Actually just looked at the image again and now see the dripping blood which makes sense. As with most art you need a couple of viewings to see everything. With street art locals will pass regularly so will see the full picture over several viewings.

Hi Diane, you should check this guy out - Brenton See is a local (perth, Australia) street/urban artist who also produces works on wood including skateboards. https://www.facebook.com/brenton.see.9/photos_all. He's just had an exhibition of paintings of animals inspired by his love of nature and David Attenborough documentaries, including this one which now hangs on my wall.

Thanks Adrian. Will check it out. Love Stormie Mills over there. I think my point with this mural was to show how complicated biodiversity and ecosystem services are and trying to relate it to daily lives....maybe too ambitious... but also the point is for the image to make people curious enough to scan the QR code to learn the science part. I dont think we can expect people to interpret any art exactly the way we want to, that is the power of it...so this was more to see if any art could motivate action to learn more. If we look at it like that, then I think the proect is so far successful.

thanks again (good point about locals with revisit the wall..very important to note that in my analysis. thank you)

Ah yes, I'm obviously not very observant, didn't even notice the QR code and thats an excellent extension of the work.

Hi,

Its very nice project,I think yes ita very important to awareness of public people because as you know one of the most important thing to infom to people is ads so street art in special place not every where might be use ful for example in entrance of park this kind of art its good.

I hope my answer is useful for you

have a good time

Diane,

I am a fish ecologist and am quite interested in the plight of threatened species and rare and elusive species and aquatic art. I have thought a fair bit about combining science and art but most of the time I do one or the other separately. Would love to progress these endeavours simultaneously but I suffer from the inability to achieve many things.

To partly answer your original question; as a scientist I very much love street art and street art relating to the theme of biodiversity. I would love to see more street art, including street art celebrating this theme. I am biased toward the underwater world and feel like there is sometimes a barrier to the public to some degree of appreciating or exploring underwater biodiversity, but of course there are counter thesis to this as well.

I occasionally obtain a copy of the magazine 'Juxtapose' and use this to escape my woking life as a scientist. I get quite inspired by some of the street art and artists featured in that magazine, some of which have environmental or biodiversity themes to their art.

I am rambling but in a nutshell, street art to celebrate our biodiversity can only be a good thing. I realise that this is being pedantic on some level: but I think educate may be less important than celebrate, engage or inspire in this context. There is plenty of scientific information available at our finger tips, but what we do with our recreation time and our passions may well hold the key to the future of this planet. But I am sure others will prove me wrong!

Ebb

Hi Brendan,

I hope you find time to do both...it is difficult finding time, I agree. I think there are more examples of street art celebrating the ocean than others. Just this morning a new one on "I support street art "Facebook page popped up. See attached.

Celebrating it is good, but I think there needs to be more effort in understanding the connection. Especially in the marine biodiversity. People can't seem to relate how that will affect their personal well being.

Thanks for taking time to check out my project.

D

Thank you George. It is true, how a child interacts and learns about nature carries through to his attitudes and behaviors as an adult.

Here is a poster for my thesis project.

IT can be, but that type would be difficult to communicate science to the public.....only in a very conceptual manner. But very effective for public art in general.

Yes that would work. Personally I like conceptual work that asks questions. My research indicated that images that provided interesting graphics but did not give all the answers sparked interest in the viewer to find out more...any kind of art that leaves more questions than answers is more interesting to me. (no matter what the medium is, I just personally like street murals). on the other hand, very literal works can also be strong for example this image by Banksy is genius...but may not solicit further action or exploration from the viewer.

Dear Diane Arrieta; I do feel that street art is a very very important and valuable tool for promoting not only biodiversity awareness to the general public but all other sorts of scientific information which we want to disseminate in public. I used this method in my research field "Watershed Development". it really do the magic. Regards